Signal-lamp control for vehicles.



C. W. DAVIS.

SIGNAL LAMP CONTROL FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED units. 1914.

1,165,853. Patented Dec.28,1915.

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C W. DAVIS.

SIGNAL LAMP CONTROL FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28. 1914 1,165,853. Patented DecQ28, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

814v mtoz whine/00% j I and W Quorum 9 C(lRTLAND W. DAVIS, OF CHICAGO,IiiLINOIS.

SIGNAL-LAMP CONTROL FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters .Patent.

- Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

Application filed itarch 28, 1914. Serial No. 827,899.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CORTLAND W. DAVIS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ofCook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Signal-Lamp Controls for Vehicles; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention is an electro-mechanical control for a vehicle lightingcircuit.

It is well known to those who have to do with the enforcing of theregulations regarding traffic, and the exhibition of a rear or taillight between sunset and sunrise, that motorists and drivers of vehiclesoften extinguish their rear light in order to escape pursuit and apossible arrest after violations of an ordinance or an accident.

This invention contemplates the use of electric circuits so arrangedthat after a rear lamp has once been lighted it will be impossible forthe driver to extinguish it, without stopping and dismounting from thevehicle.

With this invention the lamp may b lighted by aperson within thevehicle, and in order to insure that it is lighted, a visible signal,such as a pilot lamp, is positioned where it may be viewed by thedriver. This visible signal will disclose whether or not the circuit isintact, for if the filament of the main lamp be broken, thereby openingthe circuit, then the pilot lamp will not light.

This invention aims to provide a circuit having an electro-magneticelement which is operable by the driver, in any convenient manner, whenseated within the vehicle, to control a second circuit. This secondelectrical circuit is provided with lighting elements, which when closedby means of the first circuit, will automatically light such elements,the opening of the circuit being limited to manually operated means,that are not accessible to a person within the vehicle.

A practical form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings,in which Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section, showing thecircuits in position on a self-propelled vehicle. Fig. 2 is adiagrammatic view of the circuits, having lamps in series. Fig. 8 is anenlarged view of th: electro-mechanical closing mechanism. Fig.

4 is a diagrammatic view of the circuits having lamps in parallel. Fig.5 is a diagrammaltic view of a solenoid having a movable e01 By havingthe first circuit operable from the seat of the vehicle, it places thepushbutton or other circuit closing switch 5, in a convenient positionfor operation by the driver, as for example, upon the dashboard. Fromthis switch 5, are run the conductors 6 and 7 which connect anelectro-magnetic coil 8 to a suitable source of energy, such as battery9. This gives, in effect, an open circuit, as no current flows until theswitch 5 is operated. The electro-magnet may be formed and wound in thecustomary manner, though it may be preferable to use it as a solenoid,having a. movable core, as shown in Fig. 5. When used as anelectro-magnet, the core 10, projects at one end from the coil so as tobe in a position to attract the armature or keeper 11, which is securedto the movable arm 12. This member 11, 12, which is shown as beingsubstantially L- shaped, is provided with a current carrying contact orcontacts, as the case may be, 13. This contact is adapted to engage withthe clips or contacts 14, that are preferably stationary. The arm 12 isusually made of metal, to which there may be attacheda handle or othermeans for manually operating, as the electro-magnet and the movablemember are to be placed in a position that will be inaccessible to aperson within or on the vehicle, thereby preventing a person fromextinguishing the light emitting element 15, which is placed at the rearof the vehicle, while within the vehicle. At a convenient point on theline 16, which connects one terminal of the electro-magnet coil with thebattery 9, there may be tapped the line-.17 to connect with the contacts14.

The line 18 which is shown in Fig. 2, connected with the battery 9, alsopasses to the pilot lamp 19, that is placed in such a position as to bevisible to the driver, who may be able to observe its lightunconsciously and without eifort, to that end. It

is thought preferable to have it mounted upon the dashboard. From thepilot lamp there runs a line 20 which connects with the main or rearlamp 15. To the other terminal of the lamp 15 there is connected at line21, to connect the lamp 15 with the contact 13.

[n Fig. 1, which is the preferred embodiment of the invention, the lamps15 and 19 are arranged upon the loop system of wiring. From thepuslrbutton or switch 5, runs conductor or line 6 to theelectro-magnetic coil, the other terminal of the coil connecting withthe battery 9, by means of the line 16. At a convenient point on theline 16, there is tapped onto it the line 21 which connects with oneterminal of the lamp 15. From the other lamgp terminal the line 20connects with the pilot lamp 19, and at some selected point on the line20 it is connected with the movable member 12 in any usual manner. Theother terminal of the pilot lamp is shown connected to the battery 9,with the line 18 at the point of origin of the line 16. This portionconstitutes the loop, and may be followed from the battery 9, line 16,to line 21, to the lamp 15, to line 20, to the lamp 19, returned to thebattery by way of the line 18, thus the current is of the same polarityin all portions of the loop. Starting again from the push button orswitch 5, the line 7 is connected to battery 9, and connected at thispoint begins the line 17 which runs to the contacts 14. Then the member12 is moved by means of the electromagnet 8 attracting the armature orkeeper 11, through circuit closer 5, the contact 13 is brought intoengagement with the contacts M where it is retained against furthermovement, until it is opened manually. The circuit comprising contact 5,conductor 6, electromagnet 8, conductor 16, battery 9 and conductor 7,after the current once flows through, remains inoperative so far as thereopening of the second circuit is concerned, and cannot be made toclose the second or loop circuit again until the loop circuit is openedby the manually operated means.

Assuming the vehicle to be operated at dusk and it is desired to lightthe manor tail light, which is required to be carried by nearly allmunicipalities, the sw1tch or push button 5 is pressed or closed whichpermits the current to flow in conductor 6 to the coil or magnet 8,thence to the other side of the battery 9, and from said other side ofthe battery to the switch 5. Th s operation closes the circuit, andmakes t for the time being a closed circuit, or until circuit closer 5is reopened.

After the closure of the above named circuit, the coil 8 attracts thearmature 11 and the movable member 12, which causes the contact 13 toengage with the contact 14, and to be frictionally held againstdisplacement by the movement of the vehicle. To disengage it, manuallyoperated means must be employed, and the person so operatmg it must beexterior of the vehicle.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2, when the [contacts are in engagement, thecurrent is tacts 18 and 14, through the line 21 to the lamp or otherlight emitting means 15. From the other side of the lamp runs theconductor 20 which connects with the pilot lamp 19, and from this lampconductor 18 leads to the battery 9. This establishes the circuit in a.closed relation which permits the current to flow and light both lamps.If, for any reason, the circuit is incomplete, the pilot lamp will notglow, as for instance the lamp 15 may have its filament broken,

or the circuit leading thereto, or from either side of the source ofenergy, is interrupted.

It is to be understood that minor changes in form and details ofconstruction may be resorted to, Without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim is 1. In a signal lampcontrol for vehicles, a vehicle having a rear signal lamp, :1- pilotlamp positioned at a point on said vehicle to be visible continuously tothe driver, a plurality of circuits, a plurality of closing meanstherefor, one of said closing means operating to close the circuits tothe lamps, and after having been closed by another of said closingmeans, the latter closing means remains inoperative to again close thesame, until the first closing means is manually operated.

2. la a signal lamp control for vehicles, the combinationwith a vehicleand a source of energy, of a plurality of circuits, a plurality ofcooperating closing means therefor.- one of said closing means beingpositioned at a point inaccessible to an occupant within said vehicle,and after having been closed by another of said closing means, thelatter closing means thereafter remains inoperative relative to theinaccessible means, said inaccessible closing means being adapted toopen its circuit by manually operated means.

3. In a signal lamp control for vehicles, the combination with a vehicleand a source of electric energy, a plurality of circuits, one of saidcircuits containing an electromagnet, a movable member pivotally mountedadjacent thereto and adapted to be acted upon by said electromagnet,current carrying contact fingers adapted to frictionally engage with aportion. of said member, a plurality of lamps in said circuit, one ofsaid lamps being positioned at the rear of the vehicle, said lampsadapted to be lighted simultaneously by the movement of said member,another of said circuits provided with a closing means to connect saidsource of energy with said electromagnet to energize the same, saidclosing means thereafter remaining inoperative while said electromagnetcircuit is closed.

4. In a signal lamp control for vehicles, a plurality of circuits, alamp in one of said closing means in the electromagnet circuit to permitof the intermittent use of the energy in said circuit to attract saidarmature.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CORTLAND W. DAVIS,

Witnesses: A. L. ALLEXON, FREDK SHEPPY.

